John Fetterman's own communications director boldly trashes his views on Israel

Sen. John Fetterman is one of the most outspoken supporters of Israel within the Democratic Party. It seems his top communications staffer is not.

Carrie Adams, the Pennsylvania Democrat's communications director, publicly broke with her boss in a new interview that raised eyebrows.

'I don't agree with him,' she told the Free Press after an interview the senator gave to the outlet.

'I have a sense that his international views are a lot less nuanced than my generation, because when he was growing up, it was might makes right, and for my generation and younger who, of course, are the ones protesting this, they have a much more nuanced view of the region,' Adams added.

Sen. John Fetterman is one of the most outspoken supporters of Israel within the Democratic Party. It seems his top communications staffer is not

Carrie Adams, the Pennsylvania Democrat 's communications director, publicly broke with her boss in a new interview that raised eyebrows

Adams is 38. Fetterman is 55.

The Free Press reporter remarked: 'I've been a reporter since the summer of 1998, when I covered Bill Clinton's trip to Martha's Vineyard for the Vineyard Gazette. This was the first time I'd ever encountered anyone—on Capitol Hill or anywhere else, on the record, off the record, on background, whatever—criticizing 'the principal.'

The Pennsylvania progressive-turned-self-proclaimed 'regular Democrat' has been unafraid to criticize members of his own party for their stance over the fraught conflict.

'I've been frustrated by some of my members and how they've chosen to handle that situation,' Fetterman said of the war in Gaza.

'I don't agree with a lot of their views, but whatever kinds of political choices or any kind of political costs that I've incurred throughout all that, I don't care.'

He added: 'I haven't once even regretted any of that.'

Capitol Hill insiders were quick to point out a communications staffer's job is to further their boss' point of view — not their own. 

'If I had a staffer who publicly challenged my position on an issue like Israel, that staffer would be fired in a heartbeat. In every Congressional office, there is only one name on the door—only one principal voted into office by the people,' Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., another staunch Israel supporter, remarked on X.

'If you cannot get with program, then you should no longer be part of the program.'

Maggie Howell, a former communications staffer for ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, put up a mock job posting for a communications director in Fetterman's office.

It's not the first time Fetterman has run into trouble in his office over Israel.

Joe Calvello, Fetterman's long-time communications director who helped him navigate a tumultuous Senate race working on the campaign, left to work with liberal Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in March. 

Adams took over for Calvello in April. 

Nick Gavio, Fetterman's ex-deputy communications director who started with his campaign, left the office weeks later to work for the Working Families Party, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Adams previously worked at Meta, where she served on the policy team.

Fetterman does not plan to attend this week's Democratic National Convention (DNC), but shrugged off any suggestion it could be because of party infighting over the Israel-Hamas war. 

'I've got three young kids, and they're out of school,' the Keystone State Democrat told the Free Press 'That's four days I can spend with my children.' 

Still, he again voiced frustration with some in his party and how they've handled the war in Gaza. 

'I've been frustrated by some of my members and how they've chosen to handle that situation,' Fetterman said. 'I don't agree with a lot of their views, but whatever kinds of political choices or any kind of political costs that I've incurred throughout all that, I don't care.' 

While donning his signature hoodie and shorts in June, Fetterman met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhu.

'Israel has had no better friend than Senator John Fetterman. Senator, welcome to Israel. I want to thank you for your your courageous statements that show moral clarity and moral courage, and you just say the way it is,' Netanyahu said. 

Fetterman replied: 'We stand with Israel through this, and I'm so sorry for what's been done to this nation, but it's just an honor to be here today.'